James Harden's Preferred Trade Destination Revealed
In a move no one anticipated at the start of the season, it looks like James Harden wants to reportedly be a member of the LA Clippers.
According to a report from both Sam Amick and Kelly Iko, Harden's preferred trade destination is with the LA Clippers. The two teams are already in discussion, and Harden has likely played his last game with the 76ers because of how frustrated he is with how they handled his free agency.
Here is the exact excerpt from Amick and Iko's article:
"According to sources directly involved in the situation on both sides, the Los Angeles native wants to play for the Clippers and the Sixers are already in the process of discussing his desired move. Harden is, according to sources close to him, extremely upset at the way in which the Sixers handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the organization.
While it seems likely that he’ll land with the Clippers, it remains to be seen whether his longtime basketball partner, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, will grant this unexpected wish. Sources say, however, that there is strong optimism on Harden’s side that it will indeed happen. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining their core, according to sources."
Based on Amick's article it appears that Paul George will not be involved in the trade and that the Clippers are looking to create a big three with George, Kawhi, and Harden. With that in mind, there's very little the Clippers could offer as opposed to other teams like the New York Knicks or the Miami Heat - their biggest pieces are Terance Mann or Norman Powell. 76ers GM Daryl Morey would have to be doing a favor to Harden and the Clippers to allow such a lesser deal, which then in turn doesn't bode well for Joel Embiid.
The Philadelphia 76ers are certainly stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to James Harden. With the way the reports are flooding, it feels like a move for James Harden will happen sooner than later, if he is, in fact, going to the Clippers.
